Internet-Mediated Sexual Practices

Abstract

As I have previously noted, internet-mediated sexual practices can be taken to be an important aspect of technosexuality. This chapter provides a critical overview of research concerning internet-mediated partnering, or as I will refer to it for ease, e-dating. E-dating can be defined as using the internet to secure offline meetings. My focus here will be e-dating and sexual health concerns. E-dating is often conducted through websites designed for that purpose. But sexual and romantic partnering can be established and sustained through many other forms of internet-mediation, such as those possible in online games or other internet environments. As I pointed out in Chapter 1, e-dating and related prac-tices have been the subject of epidemiological research concerning risk for sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV. In this regard, researchers have examined whether or not the relatively recent advent of e-dating has increased the risk of HIV transmission among affected groups, par-ticularly gay men, and to a lesser extent, young people.